NHL soundly rejects NHLPA proposal

Judging from quotes on multiple Twitter accounts, this was not a good day for the NHL and NHLPA labor negotiations. After the league conceded some ground in a proposal it delivered to the NHLPA on Tuesday — and gave those who follow the sport some optimism a deal could be reached — the NHL shot down the PA’s three proposals it offered in a one-hour bargaining session today. What’s worse was the rhetoric from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on the issue.

“I am to say the least totally disappointed,” Bettman told reporters. He also called it a “step backwards.”

“We’re not speaking the same language,” he added.

Before today, the question was whether the NHLPA would negotiate of its proposals — which were vastly different than the league’s — or the league’s Tuesday proposal. Bettman indicated it was the former.